No lasting legacy no change in reporting of women’s sports in the British print media with the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics

The proportion of media sports coverage devoted to women is reported at between 1 and 6%. Our survey examines and compares reporting patterns before and after the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. We collected data on sports coverage in six national newspapers on 3 weekend days in February and March 20...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of public health (Oxford, England) Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 50 - 56
Main Authors:	Packer, C., Geh, D.J., Goulden, O.W., Jordan, A.M., Withers, G.K., Wagstaff, A.J., Bellwood, R.A., Binmore, C.L., Webster, C.L.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Oxford University Press 01-03-2015
Subjects:	Female Humans London Male Newspapers as Topic - statistics & numerical data Sexism - statistics & numerical data Sports - statistics & numerical data Wider Determinants London gender bias mass media sports physical activity women
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Summary:	The proportion of media sports coverage devoted to women is reported at between 1 and 6%. Our survey examines and compares reporting patterns before and after the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. We collected data on sports coverage in six national newspapers on 3 weekend days in February and March 2012, and in February 2013; ∼5 months before the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games and 5 months after the closing of the Paralympic Games. In 2012, 39 of 876 articles in national newspapers (4.5%) related to women's sports, compared with 22 of 755 (2.9%) in 2013; a non-significant reduction in coverage [difference 1.54%, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.28 to 3.36). In 2012, 24 of 647 pictures (3.7%) related to women's activities, compared with 10 of 738 (1.4%) in 2013; a significant reduction in coverage (difference 2.35%; 95% CI 0.68-4.03). The median area per article was significantly greater for men in both years. We found a continuing bias towards men's sport in the media analysed and no evidence of improvement either before or after the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Increased support of women's sport in the print media could benefit individuals and influence the health of the population.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1741-3842 1741-3850
DOI:	10.1093/pubmed/fdu018